Among the Jews, was one versed in the laws of Moses, which he expounded in the schools and synagogues (Matthew 22:35; Luke 10:25). The functions of the "lawyer" and "scribe" were identical. (see DOCTOR.)

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) One versed in the laws, or a practitioner of law; one whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients, or to advise as to prosecution or defense of lawsuits, or as to legal rights and obligations in other matters. It is a general term, comprehending attorneys, counselors, solicitors, barristers, sergeants, and advocates.

(3) to decide questions of the law. The first two they did as scholars and teachers, the last as advisers in some court.

By virtue of the first-named function, they gradually developed a large amount of common law, for no code can go into such detail as to eliminate the necessity of subsequent legislation, and this usually, to a great extent, takes the form of judicial decisions founded on the code rather than of separate enactment. And so it was among the Hebrews. The provisions of their code were for the most part quite general, thus affording much scope for casuistic interpretation. As a result of the industry with which this line of legal development had been pursued during the centuries immediately preceding our era, the Hebrew law had become a very complicated science; and since it was forbidden to record these judicial decisions, a protracted study was necessary in order to commit them to memory.

But since the law must have universal application, the views of the individual scribe could not be taken as a standard; hence, the several disciples of the law must frequently meet for discussion, and the opinion of the majority then prevailed. To these meetings the youth interested in the study would be invited, that they might memorize the formulas agreed upon and might clear up the points upon which they were uncertain by asking questions of the recognized doctors (Luke 2:46).

Such centers of legal lore, of course, would seldom be found in rural communities; the authorities would naturally gather in large centers of population, especially-until 70 A.D.-in Jerusalem. While the deliverances of these law schools were purely theoretical, yet they stood in close relation to the practical. Whenever doubt arose regarding the application of the law to a particular case, the question was referred to the nearest lawyer; by him to the nearest company of lawyers, perhaps to the Sanhedrin; and the resultant decision was henceforth authority. Thus the lawyers became law makers, and after the destruction of Jerusalem, which brought an end to the existence of the Sanhedrin, the rabbinical doctors were recognized as the absolute authority in such matters. Frequently a single lawyer of great rank, as for instance Hillel or Gamaliel I, might pronounce dicta of unquestioned recognition with as much authority as a supreme court in our day, though sometimes his opinions were received and corrected by the legal tribunal, especially the Sanhedrin. Of course, frequently, these tribunals were under the sway of such a man's influence, so that what he said upon his own authority would be ratified in the assembly of the doctors.

The second function of the lawyers was that of teachers. The renowned rabbis always sought to gather a company of pupils about them whose business it was to repeat the teachers' law formulas until they had "passed into their flesh and blood." For the purposes of such instruction as well as for the discussion of the teachers and the students, there were special schoolhouses, which are often mentioned in connection with the synagogues as places of special merit and privilege. In Jerusalem, these law schools were conducted in the temple-probably in the hall dedicated to this special purpose (Matthew 21:23; Matthew 26:55Mark 14:49Luke 2:46; Luke 20:1; Luke 21:37John 18:20). The students during the lectures sat on the floor, the teacher on a raised platform, hence, the expression "sitting at the feet of" (Acts 22:3Luke 2:46). Finally, the lawyers were called upon to decide cases in court or to act as advisers of the court. Before the destruction of Jerusalem, technical knowledge of the law was not a condition of eligibility to the office of judge. Anyone who could command the confidence of his fellow-citizens might be elected to the position, and many of the rural courts undoubtedly were conducted, as among us, by men of sterling quality but of limited knowledge. Naturally such men would avail themselves of the legal advice of any "doctor" who might be within reach, especially inasmuch as the latter was obliged to give his services gratuitously. And in the more dignified courts of large municipalities; it was a standing custom to have a company of scholars present to discuss and decide any new law points that might arise. Of course, frequently, these men were elected to the office of judge, so that practically the entire system of jurisprudence was in their hands.

3547. nomodidaskalos -- a teacher of the law... 3547 ("Scripture-lawyer") does not occur in ancient secular Greek (, ), but is used three times in the NT (Lk 5:17; Ac 5:34; 1 Tim 1:7). It suggests a highly ...//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3547.htm - 8k

3875. parakletos -- called to one's aid... the situation. 3875 ("advocate, advisor-helper") is the regular term in NT times of an (lawyer) -- ie someone . Word Origin from ...//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3875.htm - 7k

Letter xv. --To Adelphius the Lawyer .... VI."Letters. Letters . Letter XV."To Adelphius the Lawyer . I write you this letter from the sacred Vanota, if I do not do the .../.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/letter xv to adelphius the lawyer.htm

Parable of the Good Samaritan.... C Luke 10:25-37. ^c 25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and made trial of him, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? .../.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxxiv parable of the good.htm

At the House of Martha --The Good Shepherd.... While Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem a lawyer came and asked Him questions. ... "This do and thou shalt live.". "And who is my neighbor?" said the lawyer. .../.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxix at the house.htm

The Good Samaritan... As Christ was teaching the people, "a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" With breathless .../.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 54 the good samaritan.htm

The Tables Turned: the Questioners Questioned... 35. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying, 36. Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37. .../.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the tables turned the questioners.htm

The Two Great Commandments... Once a lawyer asked Jesus, "What is the most important of all the commandments?" Jesus answered, "The most important is: 'The Lord our God is one Lord; and you .../.../sherman/the childrens bible/the two great commandments.htm

Titus iii. 11-Aug... Now Nicopolis [1519] is a city of Thrace. Ver.14. "Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.". .../.../homily vi titus iii 11-aug.htm

Courts (59 Occurrences)... of the "Doctors." Whenever a case arose concerning which there had been no clear legal decision, the question was referred to the nearest lawyer; by him, to .../c/courts.htm - 33k

Judicial (2 Occurrences)... of the "Doctors." Whenever a case arose concerning which there had been no clear legal decision, the question was referred to the nearest lawyer; by him, to .../j/judicial.htm - 25k

Office (64 Occurrences)... or service for others is transacted; a house or apartment in which public officers and others transact business; as, the register's office; a lawyer's office. .../o/office.htm - 30k